The Role of Program Directors in Treatment Practices: The Case of Methadone Dose Patterns in U.S. Outpatient Opioid Agonist Treatment Programs.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To describe changes in characteristics of directors of outpatient opioid agonist treatment (OAT) programs, and to examine the association between directors' characteristics and low methadone dosage.

Data source

Repeated cross-sectional surveys of OAT programs in the United States from 1995 to 2011.

Study design

We used generalized linear regression models to examine associations between directors' characteristics and methadone dose, adjusting for program and patient factors.

Data collection

Data were collected through telephone surveys of program directors.

Principal findings

The proportion of OAT programs with an African American director declined over time, from 29 percent in 1995 to 16 percent in 2011. The median percentage of patients in ea

SUBMITTER: Frimpong JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5583309 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature